banz10 comments

A record high number of teachers were disciplined for using corporal punishment on their students in Japan in fiscal 2013, according to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

I had to sign such a form just a few weeks ago, declaring whether or not I had ever committed corporal punishment or witnessed it. I can't recall it being backdated to the previous fiscal year though. It seems rather odd that this information is being released so late. Be curious to hear from other posters working in the public school system here if they had to sign this declaration as well.

Everyone who saw the game came away with the clear impression that Australia won because of their phyiscal superiority

Not the case at all. Yes, Australia were fitter and that showed in the end but if you're implying the South Korean team was weak or the Australian team lacked skill you'd be wrong on both counts. Luongo's goal was a cracker!

It was a game that ran towards the aussie goal for 110 of the 120 minutes

Rubbish! Were you watching the same game? South Korea enjoyed large amounts of possession in periods but in the end Australia had 51% of the ball, including crucially 77% in the first half of extra time. They had 442 completed passes compared to South Korea's 326, 75% pass accuracy v 70%, 5 shots on target v 3... statistically Australia were slightly superior and the result reflected it.

I was referring specifically to this game. Losing three key players to injury within a few minutes of each other in a major final would have been very off-putting. Credit must go to the young Socceroos for how they handled that. Sainsbury in particular was outstanding.

Come on Aussie! Gutsy effort from a young team after losing three key players to injury and having to pick themselves up after a late equaliser. This will sting for Korea but they can hold their heads up. Australia deserve to champs though. Woohoo!

Please suggest appropriate contrition and proper form to seek forgiveness?

Perhaps instead of expressing "regret", "sorrow" and "remorse" Japan could start by saying that they're "truly sorry" and "genuinely contrite". I think the victims of Japan's aggression deserve at least that, don't you? Of course forgiveness may never be given by some (and that's their prerogative) but at least Japan will have been seen to have sought atonement. It's a shame that after 70 years there hasn't been reconciliation between former foes and Japan has to take responsibility for that.

Excuse me? Japan has not shown any sincere contrition. That is the problem. Expressions of regret have been carefully qualified and society as a whole has failed to properly show genuine remorse for Japan's wrongdoings.

Demanding again and again the same admissions seems to lack some element of forgiveness.

Germans murdered millions of innocent people in Europe, a thing which Japan never did in Asia. And that's a very good reason to apologise to them

Wow! You really don't get it, do you? Imperial Japan may not have had Auschwitz type concentration camps but just like the Germans their aggression was indisputably based on racial loathing. As has already been pointed out, millions of innocent people lost their lives in Asia all because of Japanese ambitions for power and glory. That is entirely analogous.

@canadianbento

That is 70 years ago, how long are these two Countries going to keep YAPPING about this wrong the Japanese have admited too.

If 20 million Canadians were killed I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be calling it "yapping".

Communist China didn't wasn't even a state during WWII, Communist China would never of been without Japan before and after the war. If it wasn't for Japan's aide (ODA's) to China, Communist China would still be living in the 19th century.

What a bizarre point. China's post war politics and economy have nothing to do with Japan failing to show any genuine contrition for the deaths of over 10 million Chinese. That's the heart and soul of this issue. Abe sympathizes with far-right nationalists who demand that past apologies be retracted, history be rewritten through their jaunted eyes to restore Imperial Japan's former glory and that patriotism of its citizens be compulsory. Of course China and Korea are treating Abe with suspicion, so should the whole world.

Since the end of World War II, both China and the Koreas have been guilty of numerous unspeakable crimes against humanity, including genocide. That's undeniable and unforgivable BUT that has nothing to do with this issue.

As many as 20 million people died in Asia as a result of Japan's aggression. Some of the unimaginable apologists here like KnowBetter need to realise that it may not be so easy to just "move on". We all wish they could, like European countries did long ago with Germany. There's one key distinction as to why they can't. Japan as a society, unlike the Germans, has failed to show genuine contrition.

Sure, carefully worded apologies have been issued in the past but they have never left Japan's victims feel a sense of closure. When Chinese and Koreans see that Japanese history textbooks gloss over Japan's wartime atrocities how are they supposed to feel? The nationalist voice, which is in complete denial about the past, is loud and prominent and it manages to suppress opposition views on this effectively. Scarily they have Abe's ear which is hardly surprising considering his grandfather Kishi was a former PM accused of war crimes in China. Kishi was an ardent nationalist who wanted to make Japan a global power again after World War II. Abe is clearly trying to protect his honour and legacy.

The problem is simple: Japan has not shown sincere remorse. Japanese society, particularly those who lived through the war years, has never appeared to be filled with a sense of guilt and certainly has never sought forgiveness. 70 years on I agree it's definitely unfair for younger generations to bear any responsibility for the war years. Nevertheless, until Japan is seen to be contrite about its dark history relations in Asia will indefinitely remain cold.

OK, go take a survey of the Japanese "public" and see how many were hugely disappointed or even watched the game for that matter.

Bit busy having a cold one right now. I'll just trust you to run out and get that info for me. You sound like you've got the pulse of the nation. Guess it was just a meaningless game that nobody watched or cared about. Good thing nobody saw Kagawa sobbing.

Who cares about a tournament with a bunch of teams that will probably not win a World Cup in our lifetime.

Well clearly not you (and who cares?) but plenty do. Tens of thousands have travelled to Australia to support their country and millions have tuned in, not just in Asia but around the world. It may be unlikely that an Asian team will win the World Cup anytime soon but that doesn't mean this Cup isn't prestigious. Just look at the reaction of all four teams yesterday. Both games were dramatic and emotional. The winners were ecstatic and the losers deflated. Kagawa was inconsolable and the Japanese public has been left hugely disappointed.

I was just thinking the same thing! I'm sure that Japanese convenience store will be thinking their signboard sponsorship at the Asian Cup was a great investment.

That's hubris for you. Japan just had to show up to win. Getting spanked at the World Cup is disappointing but going home early in the Asian Cup is embarrassing. Japan has never had a decent forward, one that is clinical and dangerous. Until they do they'll just keep falling short of their lofty ambitions.

Sayonara Japan! Sayonara Aguirre! You can have the best midfielders but without a quality striker you'll never be a top team. Japan played poorly on the night but still should've won. UAE weren't afraid, stuck to their game plan and got the upset result. Credit must go to them. As an Aussie, I have mixed feelings. We'll fancy making it to the final now we don't have to play Japan but we'd have liked a chance to revenge the final four years ago when Japan had a couple of shots in 120 minutes and grabbed the 1-0 win. What goes around usually comes around. Anyway, maybe the Blue Samurai and some of their supporters will now show a little less hubris and accept the reality that a strategy of passing teams to death will get you found out in the end. They remind me a bit like Arsenal in that respect.

I'll never fully understand why people embrace religions whose central doctrines were etched in primitive eras, but to each their own I guess. I'll particularly never understand how the fundamental elements of these religions literally implement the medieval dogmas contained in their scriptures, insisting that the core principles be upheld by all followers. Islamic extremism takes it a step further however and goes beyond its creed. They believe that Sharia law must be enforced in a global Islamic state. They believe in the absolute supremacy and authority of Islam and it is their duty to institute Sharia worldwide by whatever means necessary. It's a scourge on humankind and it has to be eradicated. The question is how?

I wish people would understand that these criminals do not represent true Muslims. Islam in no way condones shooting people. The Quran is very specific about this

You mean like this?

Quran (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"

@Olegek

They took part in political motivated attack on Islam... It's not about freedom it's about dangerous provocations

Absolute rubbish! This magazine attacked everyone and every religion in satire. This is entirely about freedom. If people feel offended by satire they are free to fight back with pens and voices, not violence. Those victims drew comics and were cowardly slaughtered for it in cold blood. How could one defend that? I could suggest certain extreme elements of Islam should not take their religion so seriously and to get a sense of humour but I'm not going to hold my breath.

I'm not professing to be an expert on the Quran, but with so many conflicting passages how can any non-Muslim not be confused about what Islam is truly about? Is it peaceful or is it violent? I guess the answer depends on whether followers believe in the early moderate verses of Muhammad or the latter vengeful, merciless ones. The Prophet made a life transition from being caring and nonviolent to becoming bitter and acrimonious. The biggest concern seems to be Islamic laws dictate that these merciless preachings of the Quran must supersede the former pacifying messages. Make no mistake, these killers in Paris are the latest in a long line of filthy cowards who are deluded into believing that it is their duty to literally obey the Quran. It's brainwashing on a mega scale. Perhaps someday the vast majority on this planet will see the idiocy in practicing religions fanatically, to question writings of medieval times rather than gullibly accept them. Maybe then real peace will exist. I doubt it'll happen in my lifetime however.

As expected of Aussie mentality. No surprise to see most Australians bypass Japan to favor China, if it brings Australia greater benefits. In playing a role as logistic broker between Japan & China, Australia would pull both strings to own's benefits.

Did you even bother reading the article? I doubt very much you'd have the remotest idea what the Aussie mentality is anyway. As far as trade goes, both Japan and China are vitally and equally important to Australia. Politically, if push ever came to shove, Australia would of course favour Japan. That doesn't mean we'd involve ourselves in a (very hypothetical) military conflict, particularly in a spat between nationalists over a few rocks.

Japan should not put all eggs in one basket.

No, nor should any country. The problem with Japan is, having isolated itself politically, it doesn't have all that many options.

Really can't stand these resident gaijins who are over-sensitive and apologetic to anything slightly critical of anything Japanese.

think they are oh-so-more-sophisticated than Japanese people because they think Beaujolais nouveau is bad

Not the case at all. You've totally missed the point. Getting excited about something that is commonly considered a poor product is sheepish and naïve.

had a glass or two with Japanese friends this evening and it was quite drinkable

Congratulations

As I said on another thread, I would love to put these foreign "wine experts" into a blind tasting of wines ranging from 500 yen to 10,000 yen

Speaking for myself, I'm certainly no "expert" or even a connoisseur but I'm pretty confident I'd notice the differences in your little test, as long as the wine price accurately represented its quality. That disqualifies Beaujolais Nouveau immediately.

Despite wine being a huge commodity in Japan, I have to say a great many (if not most) Japanese consumers are incredibly unknowledgeable. I'll never forget a very generous host here pulling a Chateau Palmer out of the fridge and uncorking it for us, icy cold. I don't want to sound ungrateful or mean as it was such a kind gesture. If people wanna drink cheap convenience store reds chilled, who cares? But a $900 bottle of fine wine? It's kinda like making burger patties out of Wagyu eye filets,

We all know Japanese are guilty of sheepism. J-Pop, need I say more. But with Beaujolais Nouveau they take it to a new level. I agree with most posters here, it's nasty stuff. Gamay grapes don't make nice wine and it says much that those wines don't improve with age. People excitedly jumping on the annual BN bandwagon is just one big face palm.

That forum is about the horse death of Melbourne cup. Not about world wide racing industry.

If people like you wish to raise the issue of animal cruelty you cannot have a balanced argument unless you look at the big picture. Looking at one race in isolation invalidates your point.

Your notion that the Melbourne Cup has a "dark side" is just plain ridiculous and non factual. Almost all Cups run throughout its history have been incident free. The sad coincidence of three horses dying in two years doesn't change that.

Here's an interesting fact. Of the six major thoroughbred racing countries in the world, Australia has the second best fatal injury rate while Japan has the worst, over four times that of Australia.

In fact, you may not be horse lover. Nathaw and heynong are horse lovers.

I am very much a horse lover and have owned horses. This was a tragedy.

they have rights to post their opinion

And I have the right to rebuke them. What's your point?

This freak tragedy happed before.

Of course it has but nowhere near the frequency that you're implying. Admire Rakti sadly died of acute heart failure. It was a rare condition that can also happen to human athletes. Unfortunately it is hard to detect until it's too late. If a marathon runner died the same way would you be proportioning blame to the race organisers? BTW, I remember Dulcify well.

killing field known as Melbourne cup

Being a little melodramatic, aren't we?

It is heartless and disgusting.

In hindsight I'm sure the Japanese owners wouldn't have raced their horse if they'd believed there was a health risk. Two weeks earlier it won the 2400m Caulfield Cup and until the Melbourne Cup had shown no sign of ill health. Again, it was a freak accident.

If you visit Aussie social media...

Of course it's been big news and there are those like you that are screaming "animal cruelty". Everyone's sad about this but the vast majority have common sense and realise that it was an unpredictable accident in a sport, like many, that does have risks.

controlling spectator for not waving flag

I've been to the races in Australia more times than I can remember and I can't recall anyone ever bringing a big flag. That was odd behaviour and reckless. Thoroughbreds are very flighty. I hope proper action is taken.

One third of racing horses will bleed into the lungs during the race.

I don't know if the rate is that high but it does happen. Horses that are known to have "bled" are forcibly suspended until it is satisfied that they are healthy. The rules are very strict. As I've said before, if you believe horse racing is cruel then address the issue to the whole worldwide racing industry, not just the Melbourne Cup because it's prestigious.

heynong, if you have an issue with animal cruelty, direct your angst at the whole thoroughbred industry worldwide and not just the Melbourne Cup. Steeplechase racing is far more dangerous for horses and jockeys.

Yes, the last two years have cost three horses their lives in the Melbourne Cup. But they were all accidents, a broken cannon bone during the race, a collapse in the stable post race and a broken cannon bone after the race. Extremely tragic and for many horse lovers like me, just heartbreaking. But over the long history of the Cup such accidents remain unusual.

As the animal lover, I will request my fellow JT posters for boycotting Melborne Cup which has killed many horses.

False and a little over-reactionary but I'm sure the Cup will survive without you.

It is unfair for horses needs to put down for broken leg because of waving flag from spectators.

It was a small child waving a flag that startled the horse. You make it sound like hooligans caused this.

There are little concern about the horse welfare

How did you come to that conclusion? The horses have teams of veterinarians, conditioners, officials and stable hands taking care of them. They're treated like stars and they're adored. This is big news because people are shocked and touched by these tragedies. You're trying to dig up a scandal that doesn't exist.

Nathaw, you clearly have no idea what you're talking about and should calm down.

Many J breeders and trainers will be reluctant to compete there again.

Rubbish! Delta Blues and Pop Rock, both Japanese horses, took the Melbourne Cup quinella not long ago. There are numerous Japanese apprentice jockeys learning in Australia and many stables have connections between the countries. This was a freak tragedy. Perhaps the horse was carrying too much weight on a track harder than what it was used to. But that happens all the time and when it does horses usually fade and finish well back in the field. They don't get back to the stable and collapse.

Many J fans of Admiral Rakti have decided it may be their last trip to down under.

Really? You know this for a fact, do you? Some connections travelled to Australia but I don't know of any "fans" that did. It's a horse, not a football team.

Overweight Jockey may be the cause of death for pre race favourite horse. If it is, he should not ride any horse again.

The weight a horse carries INCLUDES the jockey NOT in addition to what's allotted. Where on earth did you get that ridiculous, libelous idea? The jockey is absolutely distraught by what has happened. He knew the horse. You're acting like you did.